Considering Counseling

In the US, many people visit doctors for psychological and mood problems each year. And just like many physical ailments, these types of disorders are usually highly treatable.

Whether you are coping with a life transition,
depression
, loss,
anxiety
, or more serious conditions, chances are good that therapy can help.

What Kind of Therapy Should You Seek?

There are two primary types of therapy: medication and talk.

Medication Therapy

There are a range of medications that are prescribed for conditions, like attention-deficit disorder, depression, anxiety,
bipolar disorder
, and
schizophrenia
.

Treatment typically involves working with a healthcare provider who manages the medication. Medication therapy is often used along with talk therapy.

Talk Therapies

Talk therapies, also known as counseling or psychotherapy, treat psychological or emotional problems through verbal communication. Although they are based on psychological theories, talk therapies also fulfill a very basic human need to share problems and connect with others.

Some types of counseling may be better suited to your particular issues, as well as your personality, time, and budget. Listed below are some of the most common types; however, keep in mind that most therapists tend to use a combination of one or more approaches.

Psychoanalysis

Description—Developed by Sigmund Freud in the 1900s, psychoanalysis focuses on identifying repressed feelings and issues that influence current behavior. The process is complex and lengthy, so it requires a definite commitment.

Recommended for—Psychoanalysis may be helpful if you are struggling with challenges that have lasted a long time, such as repeated career or relationship difficulties, depression, or anxiety.

Description—This therapy focuses on the interactions of a unit or system rather than individual members. This approach is based on the idea that the problems of an individual must be understood in the context of a larger system.

Recommended for—With the focus on relationships, many people can benefit from this type of therapy, including couples, families, children, and teens. A range of conditions can be addressed, including mood disorders, behavior and emotional disorders in children, substance abuse, and domestic violence.

Group Therapy

Description—During this type of therapy, a small number of people work together with a group therapist. The goal is to move toward self-understanding and self-acceptance, as well as to improve interpersonal relationships.

Recommended for—Group therapy may be helpful for many people, including those who are facing relationship problems, dealing with depression or anxiety, experiencing loss or trauma, or trying to recover from alcohol or drug addiction..

How Do You Find a Qualified Mental Health Provider?

There are many options to find a qualified provider, such as:

Contacting your health insurance company to find out which providers are affiliated with your plan

In some cases, finding the right therapist takes time. You should feel comfortable with the therapist and feel that the person understands you. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide if you would like to work with this therapist or continue looking for someone who is a better fit for you.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

How to find help through seeing a psychologist. American Psychological Association website. Available at: http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/therapy.aspx. Accessed March 12, 2014.

Marriage and family therapists: the friendly mental health professionals. American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy website. Available at: http://www.aamft.org/imis15/content/consumer%5Fupdates/Marriage%5Fand%5FFamily%5FTherapists.aspx. Accessed March 12, 2014.

What to expect from therapy. Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies website. Available at: http://www.abct.org/docs/Members/FactSheets/WHAT%20TO%20EXPECT%20FROM%20THERAPY%200707.pdf. Accessed March 12, 2014.